Advance polls in the Blackfalds by-election are now open to voters.
Blackfalds residents will vote on a new councillor on Jan. 10, 2022. Advance voting will take place on Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Council Chambers on the second level of the Civic Cultural Centre in Blackfalds.
There are three candidates running for the vacant councillor position.
For more information visit blackfalds.ca/p/election-2022.
Edna Coulter
I am excited to be running for Town Council in our 2021 municipal election. My husband Wayne and I moved to Blackfalds in 1988 and we raised our two children in this community.
As a small-town Central Alberta girl, I have experienced what it means to be part of hardworking, caring, supportive, and friendly community. I was born in Innisfail and moved to Spruce View in my junior high year through to graduation. During this time, I was involved with the Penhold Air Cadets. After graduation I went on to pursue my education in Business Administration at the Red Deer College. Throughout my career I have had roles in many different industries including advertising and promotions, food service, cabinet building, cleaning, accounting, and bookkeeping. My passion has been Bookkeeping in which I have been able to use my expertise in both my profession and my volunteering to achieve success. I currently have my own business in the town of Blackfalds and area. I have seen what a strong community has to offer individuals and families and look forward to contributing as a town councilor to ensure the growth and prosperity of Blackfalds.
Volunteering is a passion I take to heart. As a child I watched my parents volunteer within our community, showing me the importance of community service and the satisfaction of being involved within an organization to improve the community in which we live. I am a founding member of the Optimist Club of Blackfalds and have had the pleasure of being involved in many of the several projects the club has completed including the skateboard parks and inclusive playground. We have also proudly partnered with other nonprofit associations for events in town. As an Optimist I have had many roles including President, Secretary, Board Member, and I currently serve as Treasurer. I have also had the opportunity to hold positions within the Optimist District that we are a part of which stretches from Alberta, Montana, Saskatchewan, and North Wyoming. For the Optimist District I held roles as secretary/treasurer, Lieutenant Governor, district New Club Building Chair, Essay Chair, Achievements and Awards, as well as Activities Chair. Through these positions I have been able to learn what makes a community strong as well as highlight our town. As my children grew, I volunteered with the schools they attended. I have proudly supported Friends of Iron Ridge and assisted in many various events throughout the years as well as the building of new playgrounds.
If voted in as a town council member I would like to bring attention and change to some key areas that I believe will enrich and improve our community. Senior housing is a key area of concern for me as I would like us to be able to provide for our seniors the ability to stay in Blackfalds and continue to be a part of the town they love and support. I would love to see more resources and activities for the preteen and teenage residents of Blackfalds for them to have fun and grow. I believe we need to increase small community support, including making our town more appealing to retail businesses which in turn will help the town grow and would also help with property taxes for residents. As a councilor I will work hard towards unifying community, nonprofit organizations, and the town by improving communication, growth, and support across the board.
Ray Olfert
I am running for re-election for council for our wonderful Town of Blackfalds. For those of you who don’t know me, here is a little about myself and my family. We will have lived here in Blackfalds 16 years this coming Christmas. My wife, Helen, currently works from home. My youngest is currently attending school within Wolf Creek School Division.
The middle child is taking College courses in animation and design as well as working in town. The oldest also works here in town. Myself, I have a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan and have taught in several schools in Central Alberta. With substitute teaching on the decline and a desire to fulfill a long-time dream, and what I perceived to be a need within the community, I opened Dad’s Day Off Games & Hobbies in December of 2017.
Just before last Christmas we started helping a local animal foster group by fostering animals. So far it has just been pups or dogs and our latest foster blessed us by giving birth early, so now we have both. I enjoy a good cup of coffee and am patiently waiting to get an Ice Grinder from After The Grind.
Some issues that I would like to work on when re-elected would be increased senior’s housing, opening of a registries office, making sure our schooling resources are not neglected, and attracting more business to the community.
Will Taylor
I want to thank everyone for your support over the last term and twenty years. I also want to mention that I am very proud of the volunteers and people of this community. I have been promoting Blackfalds since the day I moved here in 1987 to start my family with my wife. The last few years have been more than a challenge for us all. We all have been touched by Covid and I want to let you know how much I care. I pray that we come to a point of healing and return to community living. The strain I have seen in children is a weight they should not have to carry.
In 1987 the main street had many closed businesses, and the town had a reputation that was not nice. I would tell everyone how you are missing the potential and how historically towns by cities become the choice place to live. My children often complained about the lack of facilities and things to do including finding jobs. Well today my children are telling everyone how great the town is and how much there is to do. I must admit that we still do not have a theatre, that was on my daughters list. We do not have curling rink which our last CAO was deeply passionate about, but I think we are doing pretty good. The optimists are working on a new disk park.
My wife and I raised three children and have seven grandchildren with number eight coming in November. Many of my extended family now are happy to call Blackfalds home. The reputation for Blackfalds is well respected in the province and the past is far behind us. The town has received multiply awards and was included in the Canadian taxpayers as one of the most fiscally responsible towns. I would like to share the biggest highlight as a councillor. I have been privileged working for a community that has a synergy with residents, volunteers, town staff ,and council working as a team for the best part of twenty years. The result of that synergy is what has made Blackfalds great. The people of this community are still what I promote today. I also want to extend my appreciation for all the candidates that have put their name forward.
Blackfalds is like a good book and each chapter it only gets better. I hope to have you support going forward.